U^0 9<^ 



THE 



SEA-ROBBER.. 



H Co metro in Six lets. 



BY LEROY M'MMINCS. 



BRUNSWICK : 

H. \V. HOWARD PRINTING CO. 

[888. 



THE 



SEA-ROBBER 



3 ComrtH) in Sbix Sets. 



} 



BY LEROY CUMMINGS. 



( APF; 191888 r ) 



BRUNSWICK : 

II. W. HOWARD PRINTING CO. 

188S. 



Copyright [888, 
By Lercs l - 
All rights reserved. 



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SYN< >PSIS. 

Sir 'I'iinothv Twillyn, a pedantic Englishman, whose pride of birth 
'leads him to cling to the manners and costumes of antiquity, is very 
desirous that his niece shall marn an officer of the United States' Navy. 

Though an orphan and dependent upon the bounh of her bachelor 
uncle, Kacilla Trawl, nevertheless, has certain ideas of her own con- 
cerning the proper restrictions to be set upon her personal liberty 
Contrary to her uncle's commands, Kacilla persists in the habil of steal- 
ing from the house after the old gentleman has fallen asleep. In one 
of her evening rambles along the shore, Kacilla overhears a conversa- 
tion between Captain \nthon) and Myra Auber. Kacilla discovers 
that the Captain is transferring his attentions to herself merely to gain 
her uncle's wealth. This knowledge results "in a dom stic quarrel a 
little later, wherein Kacilla's wilful resentment sets at defiance both Sir 
Timothy's preferences and < 'aptain Anthony's anticipations. But during 
the particular twilighl excursion to which we refer. Kacilla makes tin 
acquaintance of a sea-robber, by whose opporture appearance she is 
rescued from the designs of two drunken sailors. Kacilla's acquaint- 
anceship with the sea-robber leads to the plundering of Sir Timothy's 
house b\ a gang of freebooters, the robber} being followed b) Kacilla's 
elopement with the chief of the buccaneers. 

frantic at the loss of certain documents upon whose preservation 
depends the proof of his noble descent, Sir Timothy) in company with 
Captain Anthony, puts to sea in pursuit of the pirates. 

Meantime Myra Auber, whose faith in 'aptain .Anthony's ultimate 
repentance is justified by subsequent events, lias concealed herself 
aboard the vessel, disguised as an apparition. Deserting Myra for the 
selfish purpose of gaining Kacilla's dowry, (aptain Anthony is feeling 
the power of a remorseful conscience, when an attack from the pirates 
forces Myra to reveal her identity; this event is followed by forgive- 
ness and reconciliation. 

Captured by the sea-rovers, (aptain Anthony, Myra, and Sir 
Timothy Twillyn, are borne as close prisoners to the isle of Mora, 
where Kacilla first discovers the fact thai her uncle is among the pirates' 
captives. 



Wearied by this time of the clangers of a sea-rover's life, Victor 
Baretti accepts the terms of pardon offered him by General Jackson. 
Securing the good-will of Sir Timoth) Twillyn, who has suddenly lost 
his esteem for Captain Anthony, the pirate chief, with his passengers, 
sets ^ail for the country that has proffered him the immunity ol citizen- 
ship. 

The events of li\< ays - lay; the incidents 

of the first three acts happening upon three successive evenings; the 
exploits of the fourth day are shown in the fourth and fifth acts, while 
upon the fifth day transpire the closing incidents of '\\r drama. 

The seventeen characters introduced in this play may be represent- 
ed by eleven persons. Assigning to one lad}- the repr< sentation "f the 
double rol- of Myra Auber and Betsey Boneset, one actor may depict 
the parts of Jonas Sage and Simon Klash; another may 'he allotted the 
triple role of Pluto. Jim. and the Messenger; while a third ma\ assume 
the parts of Tom and Chaos, leaving a fourth acl - • the 

characters of Bill and Bacchus. 



)RAMATIS PERSONS. 



SIR TIM< 


THY TWILLYN, 


racilla 


PR WYI , 


BETSEY ! 


J( >NES ET, 


MYRA \l 


FBER, 


VH TOR 1 


\A RELIT, 


SINK >N l-'i 


ASH, 


ROBERT 


ANTHONY, 


[< >NAS SAGE, 


ZEBEDEI- 




GNOME, 




TOM, ) 
BILL, - 
JIM, ) 




CHA< >S, 
PLUTO, 


I 



BACCHUS, I 



A Pompous Englishman 

\uue to Sir Twillvn 

Housekeeper to Sir Twillvn 

Phantom of the Trojan 

< aptain of the pirate ship, Vampire 

( )fficer of the Vampire 

Captain of the war ship. Trojan 

( >fncer of the Trojan 

( lardener to Sir Tw illy n 

Page to Sir Twillvn 

Sailors 
Pirates 



A Messengei 



Scene. — Pensacola, Tlorida, and the Gulf of Mexico, in the year 

1814. 



V. 



: 



kJ^ssi^i^ 



1TIE SEA-ROBBER. 



ACT I. 

Sckxk. — The rugged sea-shore near Sir Timothy Twii.i.v.n's 

house at Peusacola. Twilight. Enter Racii.j.a Trawl. 

Rai ii. i a. — {Solus.) Oh, my gracious, what a fine sea- 
view I Uncle Timothy forbids me wandering out of doors 
at night, but I should fly from my window on a broomstick. 
if there were no other means of escape from the dull, old 
house. The idea of my fussy, old uncle shutting me under 
a roof at dark, like a nun in a cloister, just because he thinks 
there are wicked men about — the idea ! But by listening at 
the key-hole of his chamber door. I know when to outwit 
him — my goodness, how he snores! In the estimation of 
very discreet people, it may seem a little rash for me to 
ramble on the shore alone, but I snap my fingers at very 
prudent folks and do just as I please. Why, who can that 
be coming up the beach? If I live, it is Captain Anthom 
walking with a lady ! And Captain Anthony has been [lay- 
ing me particular attentions of late, too ; calling me his own 
dearest dear and darling, and so dazzling my delighted uncle 
that the poor, old gentleman chatters continually about 
swords and epaulets. But, hush ! the captain and his com- 
panion are coming this way. ( 'an it be that ( 'aptain Anthony 
is a deceitful, scheming man? Anyway it is my right to 



8 THE SKA-ROBBER. 

know what this meeting means. (As Racilla conceals her- 
self behind a jutting cliff, ( !apt. R< >bert An l'h» >ny «»^ M \ i< \ 
Vuber r///W\ ('apt. Am mom wearing a naval uniform and 
sword. ) 

Anthony. — Be not grieved, Myra, that our flirtation is at 
an ttm\. Surely you were aware from the first that my in 
tentions were not serious? 

Myra. — How should 1 know that you were trifling. Robert, 
when in declaring your affection, you seemed always so 
earnest. 

Anthony. — But — well — in fact, Myra, if 1 have made 
some foolish professions, it was always with the belief that 
you understood the light value of such sentimental nonsense. 

Myra. — Ah, Robert, I hope you may never regret those 
words ! Have you ever found me otherwise than faithful 
and sincere ? 

Anthony. — You certain!) have been very considerate of 
my welfare. Myra, but I think — that is. I find a change in 
my prospects that forces me to abandon some of my past 
purposes. 

Myra. — Very well, Robert, if you are tired of my society, 
you are free to seek more agreeable company ; but I know 
that the hope of gaining her uncle's fortune is the cause of 
your sudden fancy for Racilla Trawl. 

Anthony.— Well — 1 — in fact. Myra. I confess that I am 
in close circumstances : my salary is too meagre for me to 
be generous. 1 am really compelled to increase my income 
in some way. But you will release me from any pledges 
given in the past, will you not. Myra? 

Myra. — Certainly, I release you from all past promises, 
Captain Anthony, and 1 wish you every joy that the future 



PHE SEA-ROBBER. 



can bestow ; may no memory of by-gone days disturb your 
happiness. 

Anthony.— Let the follies of the past be forgotten, Myra ; 
we now are wiser through experience. But the hour is late 
and the winds grow chilly ; let us be going. {Exeunt Capt. 
Anthony and Myra Auber, while Ractlla steps from her 
concealment. ) 

Racilla. — {Solus.) Goodness gracious ! can J trust ni\ 
ears? ts Captain Anthony so mean as to break an engage- 
ment just to get m\ down ? J guess when he visits me 
again, he will find reason lor astonishment. Mercy me ! 
two horrid looking men are coming this way — what shall 1 
do — and they av- wrangling right in the path — dear me ! 
I wonder if I can keep so .quiet that the} will pass without 
seeing me? (As Racilla seeks the shelter of a cliff, the 
sailors Thai and Bill enter and stand gazing around in 
drunken perplexity.) 

Tom.— Which way is n-nor'east, Billy? I've I— lost my 
bearings. 

Bill. — Splinter my g-gaff, if J know ! — queer country, 
Tommy, m-mighty queer country — roads all r-run in circles 
— walk all n-night and get n-nowhere. 

Tom. — M-mighty strange, Billy, m-mighty strange we 
can't find the m-marine barracks. 

Bna..— Where the d-devil are we? everything's sh-shifted. 
I'm all right at sea. Tommy, with a b-broken rudder and a 
bl-black eye. but I get b-bewildered on land — beats the 
doldrums, bl-blast the luck ! {Pointing at Racilla.) What's 
that o-over there ? 

Tom. — That's the m moon, Billy, that's the moon, Billy 



iO THE SEA-ROBBER. 

boy- My gr-granddaddy was a 'stroriomer, Billy, and st- 
studied the moon. 

Bill. — That's no m-moon, Tommy, that's a m-mermaid ; 
let's c-catch her, Tommy. 

Racilla. — Dare to come near me. you wretches, and I'll 
scream for help ! 

Tom. — Beg p-pardon, Miss Cherry Chickadee, n-nobody 
lives round here ; anyhow me and Billy can't f-find nobody. 
Strike your c-colors Miss Chickabiddy. 

Racilla. — {Catching up a stone.) Dare to come one 
step nearer and this rock shall smash your face ' ( Enter 
Victor Baretti, clad in sombrero and mantle.) 

Baretti. — Get you gone, you meddlesome miscreants, 
get you gone '. 

Bill. — Aye, aye : but wh-which way is it to the m-marine 
barracks? Blamed if Tommy — 

Baretti. — {Drawing a rapier from beneath his mantle.) 
Begone, miscreants, begone ! 

Tom. — -Run, Billy, r run for your life, the blackguard has 
pulled a bl-blade ! ( Exeunt 1\>m and Bill in haste.) 

Racilla. — Oh, sir ! 1 thank you for driving those brutal 
men away. 

Baretti. — My weapons and my life are at your service, 
lady ; is it far to your home ? 

Racilla. — No, not far, sir ; my uncle's house stands in 
the locust grove on the hill. 

Baretti. — This lonely coast is a very perilous resort to 
frequent ; do you often come here? 

Racilla. — Quite often in pleasant weather, sir; but my 
uncle is very strict and has many times forbidden me visit- 



IHE SEA-ROBBER. I I 

ing the shore, but when he falls asleep. 1 often wander to 
these twilight cliffs. 

Baretti. — Truly a strange region for a pleasure-loving 
maid to haunt. What attraction can there be in craggy 
cliffs and misty tides to bring you to this place? 

Racilla. — Ah. sir. if 1 keep coming to the shore a sea- 
witch may sometime bring me magic wings and then 1 can 
fly with the petrel and the albatross away and away forever. 

Baretti.-— Truly a pretty dream, but if the witch should 
never come with the magical wings, what then, my Sea- 
nymph ? 

Racilla.— -Hut I think, sir, that the witch will come, if 1 
wait and hope. 

Baretti. — But while you were waiting for the uncertain 
gift of wings with which to fly away, would you refuse a 
chance to sail away into the far, mvsterious regions of the 
sea ? 

Racilla. — That. sir. would depend upon who should 
make me the offer of a voyage. 

Baretti. — But suppose it were an Italian Marquis, the 
commander of a pirate ship? 

Racilla. — Do Italian Marquises ever command pirate 
ships, sir? 

Baretti. — They sometimes do — especially after they have 
been chased out of the harbor of Genoa by the king's 
hangmen. 

Racilla. — 1 onte saw some pirates in prison, but they 
were such shaggy looking demons that they almost frighten- 
ed me. 

Baretti. — But the Italian Marquis of whom I speak, 
never was and never will be in jail ; he is the most crafty of 



THE SEA-ROBBER. 



ocean rovers. Mis dark ship sweeps the sea like a tropic 
typhoon ; the fleets of every nation flee in terror from his 
path. 

Racilla. — How glorious it must be to frighten folks so : 
I scared uncle Timothy almost to death last night — dear 
me, how he scolded just because 1 laughed '. 

Baretti. — An'd the saloon of this pirate ship is more gor 
geous in its beauty than are the wondrous halls in the palaces 
of Damascus. And there is a secret island in the sea. 
known only to the voyagers of this pirate ship, and above 
this isle in the ocean solitude the palm groves rustle in the 
summer wind ; but far within the isle there is a grotto whose 
splendor is like the glory of a dream. 

Racilla. — Why, it must indeed be a lovely spot. 

Bareiti. — Would you not like to visit, such a beautiful 
cave, my Sea-nymph ? 

Racilla. — If it were possible for me to reach it. I should 
like very much to visit such a pretty place. 

Baretti. — But it is possible for you to go to this grotto, 
my Peri. 

Racilla. — How could I get there, sir? have you ever 
seen the ca\ era 'f 

Bareiti.— Ah, many a time ; 1 am that Italian Marquis 
of whom 1 have been speaking. 

Racilla. — (Starting.) Mercy, sir ! are you a pirate? 

Bareiti. — Hush, my Peri ! I am leagued with the dark 
vendetta of the sea — 1 am a pirate, but bt? not afraid. 

Racilla. — But you do not seem like the grim sea-robbers, 
sir. of whom such frightful tales are told. 

Baretti.— We are not so bad as the legends make us; 
we rob the wealthy, but we spare the weak. But what say 



THE SEA-ROBBER. 13 

you, my charming Sea-nymph, would you not like to share 
the pirates fate? would you not like to sail with him afar, 
the love-crowned empress of the sea? 

Racilla. — I know not what to say : my life is dreary here. 

Baretti. — The richest robes from the looms of Khorassan, 
and tiie brightesl gems from Brazilian mines — these are 
yours, all yours, as the pirate's bride. 

Racilla. — I will go — I trust your truth. 

Baretti. — Must sweetly said, my Peril Soon you shall 
reign in splendor, the light of my breeze borne palace and 
queen of my ocean isle. {Salutes her.) 1 pledge my loyal 
oath. 

Racilla. — Ho we sail to-night? 

Baretti. — By my soul, I wish we might cruise away this 

bl ! hut the moon will soon he up, and the coast-guard 
is now alert ; so we must wait, the gloom of a cloudy night 
for our departure. Can I meet you again soon? 

R villa. — You might come up to Uncle Timothy's garden 
tomorrow night ; 1 will be there. 

Baretti. — If the halls still stand mid the seas still roll. 1 
will surely come. But it is growing late, my charmer, so let 
me guide you to your uncle's gate. {Exeunt Victor 
Baretti and Racilla Trawl. Enter Tom and Bill.) 

Tom. — By [-Jerusalem ! — same pi -place again. 

Bill. — Z-'Zounds ! 

Tom. — Never saw the b-beat of this, Billy, never saw the 
beat of th-this — never shall get no-nowhere. 

Bill. — Why the d-deuce don't they blow the b-bugle-horn 
at the barracks? the blubbers know we're 1-lost. 

Pom. — Wh-What do they care, Billy, — the v-villains ! 



14 THE SEA-ROBBER. 



Bill. — Beats the d-devil, Tommy, what a m-merry-gq- 
round we've g-got into — dash me ! 

Tom. — Nothing m-merry 'bout it — feet all bl-blistered, 
Billy. 

Bill. — What the th- thunder shall we do— sl-sleep on a 
1-ledge? Give us the c-compass, Tommy, let's tr try it 
again. 

'Tom. — {Producing a flask and a compass.) Which is 
the c-compass, Billy? — d-dash my eyes ! 

Bill. — ( Taking the compass.) Bl-blamed swindles, b-both 
of 'em. 

Tom. — Mighty in-mean to swindle s-sober men like you 
and m-me, Billy, with such rickety st-steering gear — mighty 
m-mean, Billy. 

F>ill. — By j -jingo, 'Tommy, I've got the n-nor'east ! g get 
off of my feet ! — can't you t-take my word for it? you dim- 
eyed g-gun-swabber ! 

Tom. — Don't get in a d-dudgeon, Billy, don't g-get in a 
dudgeon. 

Bill. — Larboard, 1 -larboard — we'll b-bunk in the barracks ! 

Tom. — Aye, aye, Billy, aye, aye, Billy boy. 

{Exeunt Tom and Blli. Curtain falls.) 



\CT. II. 
Sckne.— -The walled garden adjoining the veranda of Sir 
Timothy Twillyn's 'house. An arbor in view. Evening. 
Enter Sir Timothy Twillyn and ("apt. Anthony upon 
the veranda, Sir Timothy dressed in an ancient British 
costume of periwig, coat, and breeches. 

Anthony.— You do wrong. Sir Timothy, to repine so bit- 
terly over your fate, when the blessings von enjoy merit 
your deepest gratitude. 

Twillyn. — {Sighing.) Ah. well-a-day, well a day. well-a- 
day ! this desolation of environment is unbearable, Captain, 
quite unbearable to a scholar of cultured tastes; isolation 
among barbarians hath no mitigating joy. Ah me ! how 
perceptibly hath discontent wasted mine olden vigor! Be 
seated. Captain, be seated, sir : we can converse upon this 
settee with less fatigue to our limbs. ( They seat themselves.) 
Alack-a-day, alack a-day ! would to God I were in merry 
England ! What sorry bedevilment of misfortune possess- 
ed me to seek this savage land? 

Anthony.— But dwelling here in your own pleasant home 
by the sea. apart from the rude tumult of the world, surely. 
Sir Timothy — 

Twillyn. — Qualities of gentility are scorned in this 
barbarous country— utterly scorned. I repeat. Why, Captain. 
this day— this very day, sir. I cited a text from Herodotus 
thai did most aptly sustain an argument by myself advanced, 
—thereon, mark what befell ! Herodotus was jeered — 



I 6 THE SEA-ROBBER. 



Herodotus the scribe of ancient Greece, whose words art 
music to the scholars soul — Herodotus, I say, was shrill) 
jeered by the vile crowd of cattle- herders ! And. sir, the ex- 
pounder of Grecian wisdom, even myself giving enlighten- 
ment, was mocked and loudly hooted through the streets by 
fish- mongers and by tools ! Ah. well-a-day ! fain would I tor- 
get the world and its follies. Such events but bring to mind 
the adage of the pearls and swine ; the mob's derision ever 
drowns the voice of true philosophy {Produces a snuff-box 
aud sniffs a pinch of its contents.} Ah me ! would to God 
I were in good, old England, the land of lettered men ! but 
what word. (Sneezing.) what tidings. Captain, from the sea . J 
Are the villainous buc — (Sneezing.) are the villainous bucca- 
neers abroad ? 

Anthony. — Certain signs indicate the possibility of dan- 
ger, Sir Timothy, and it would be a wise plan for you to 
stoutlv bar your doors at nightfall. 

Twillyn. — Eh, Captain? buc — (Sneezing.) buccaneers 
seen about, eh ? 

Anthony. — Returning fishermen report a dark, suspicious 
craft drilling shoreward at sunset: but feel no fear. Sir 
Timothy, it is probably only a sailor's idle story : still it 
would be well to look with care to die fastenings of the 
doors at night. 

Twillyn. — I perceive, (Sneezing.) I perceive, sir. The 
purport of this admonition suggests caution without trep— 
(Sneezing.) without trepidation, the supreme attribute ot 
militar) sagacity. Ah me ! as the last of the warlike Twillyns, 
it behooves me to maintain mine ancient fame of ancestry 
to a glorious close, magnificient in its martial dignity. 
Should buc — (Sneezing.) should buccaneers attack me. I 



THE SEA-ROBBER. I 7 

pray God 1 may gain good time to don mine armor; in a 
suit of -lira mini;' mail a Twillvn is clad for hav — (Sneezing.) 
is clad for havoc. Alack-a-day J what be — (Sneezing.) what 
bedevilment hath entered this unaccountable snuff that it 
should explode in my nose like gunpowder? My dear 
Cap — (Sneezing.) my dear Captain, I beseech you to ex- 
amine the quality of this most singular snuff. God's bless 
jug 1 how my nose tingles and how mine eyes do weep ! 

Anthony. — (Sneezing as he examines the contents of the 
snuff-box.) If my judgment may be trusted. Sir Timothy, 
this powder is not snuff, but pepper. 

Tyvili v\. — ( Examining the snuff-hex critically. ) Pepper ? 
— impossible, ( aptain, impossible, sir ! By what miraculous 
process of witchi raft could pepper get into this receptacle? 
But you are right, Captain, by Nicodemus, you are right, 
sir — it is pepper ! But how — ah, I comprehend, I compre 
bend ! Through deficient discrimination in such matters, 
my housekeeper, Betsey Boneset, hath mingled her culinary 
condiments with my sm\\[. Ah me ! it is again my im- 
perative duly to administer a reprimand concerning such 
blunders. (JR. ising and stamping his foot.) Betsey Boneset, 
do you hear me? Betsey Boneset ! 

Betsey. — (Entering upon the veranda.) What now. Sir 
Timothy ?— why, mercy, Sir, you have been weeping! 

rwiLLYN. — Weeping ! By Nicodemus ! who would not 
weep with his nostrils full of pepper? Exonerate yourself, 
Betsey Boneset, exonerate yourself, if possible, from the 
suspicion <fr malicious intentions in the substitution, in the 
unaccountable substitution of pepper for snufl in this, my 
pocket receptacle for the latter luxury. 



t3 the ska-robber. 

Betsey. — Grace of goodness ' why, I know not what you 
mean. Sir Timothy ! 

Twillyn. — Betsey Boneset, your negligence, your in- 
excusable negligence will drive me to violence! By what 
bedevilment of" stupidity ran pepper be mistaken tor snuff? 
God's blessing ! my head is quite shattered by nasal con- 
cussions. 

Betsey. — Truly, Sir Timothy, 1 have not meddled with 
your snuff; it is all a mystery to me how such a mistake 
could happen. 

Twillyn. — lam constrained to doubt your statements, 
Betse) Boneset, not that I impute intentional equivocation 
to your denial of the accusation ; I merely regard the denial 
as the result of a lapse of memory incidental to youi 
vancing years, wherein— r 

Betsey.— Indeed ! one might suppose. Sir Timothy, that 
your brilliant mind had never — 

Twillyn. — {Stamping his foot. ) Silence. Betsey Boneset, 
silence : vour unchecked tongue grows garrulous. I wonder 
what bedevilment of disaster will assail me next? To have 
one's skull shattered, like a quarryman's ledge, by a dingy, 
detestable compound of culinary condiments pa>sc> the ex- 
tremity of honest patience. Alack a-day ! it only remains 
tor rat poison to be mistaken for sugar in the kitchen when 
there will be employment for the sexton, through the be- 
devilment of death's climax. Once again, Betsey Boneset, 
I do imperatively command you to be more disi reet in your 
discriminations in regard to the essential difference existing 
een my snuff and the culinary condiments of the 
kitchen. \nd now. Betsey Boneset. can you inform \\w as 
to the whereabouts of mv niece. Racilla Trawl? 



THE SEA-ROBBER. 



[9 



Betsey.— Complaining of headache, she has retired to 
her chamber — 

Twillyn. — Headache, eh? It is a singular, a very singu 
lar coincidence, Betsey Boneset, that upon the appearance 1 
of Captain Anthony my niece should be prostrated by head- 
ache—a very singular coincidence, by Nicodemus ! But 
the atmosphere is growing chilly, Captain, let us retire within 
my residence. 

Anthony. — (Rising.) Your pardon. Sir Timothy, but 
1 am due at tlie Admirals quarters in an hour and must now 
oing. Please express to your niece my disappointment 
at not meeting her this evening. 

Twillyn. Ah me ! I deplore your early departure. Cap- 
tain, but 1 am constrained to acknowledge that punctual 
attention to duty in an imperative requisite of worldly ad- 
vancement; therefore I relinquish the pleasure of your 
company with that cheerfulness so becoming to a philosopher. 
only hoping to again enjoy your society to-morrow evening. 
^h me ! I find in convivial intercourse the only solace 
from the dismal power of melancholy. 

\\nio\v. [f possibly, Sir Timothy, I will visit you to- 
morrow night. I now wish both Miss Boneset and yourself 
a kind adieu. 

Twillyn. — Good night, Captain Anthony, good night, sir. 
(^//Captain Anthony through the garden-gate.) Alack-a- 
day ! God's blessing! my head is dizzy; I could feel but 
little worse, Betsy Boneset, had I been blown over the church 
spire by a powder-mill explosion. 

Betsey — Truly, Sir Timothy, I regret this unhappy acci- 
dent, though I am innocent of the mistake that discomforts 
you. 



J<) ['HE SEA-ROBBER. 

Twillyn — Betsey Boneset, it is vain Tor you to proclaim 
yourself guiltless of confounding my snuff with kitchen spice 
— utterly vain, Betsey Boneset: your dominion over the 
■kitchen precludes the possibility of others mingling the culi- 
nary condiments with my snuff. Ala< k-a-day ! Alack-a-da) ! 
assist me within, Betse) Boneset, assist me within ; in th< 
1) :devilment of this emergency no head mav be rated m value 
with a rotten pumpkin. Ah me '. alack-a-day ! ( Exeunt 
Str Timothy Twillyn and Betsey Boneset within the 
house. Enter Racilla Trawi upon the veranda. After 
listening a moment at the vine-clad window to assure herself 
that Sir Tmorm is busily occupied within, she laughingly 
descends into the garden. ) 

Racilla. — {Solus.) Dear me, how Uncle Timothy did 
sneeze and scold ! And to accuse prim Miss Betsey of fill- 
ing his snuftbox with kitchen spice — Miss Betsey, the very 
parau^n of methodical correctness ! How queer that Uncle 
Timothy did not suspect me as being the witch thai worked 
him such wicked mischief. (A clock heard remotely strik- 
ing.) 'Tis nine o'clo< k by the cit) lowers, and the Italian 
Marquis is to visit me tonight —just think of it ! How ro- 
mantic it will be to sail away with the famous sea robber. 
Marquis Victor Baretti ! [Jhcle Timoth\ is so ugly that it 
de-lights me to think of leaving this hateful, old house for- 
ever. {As Racilla seeks the shadow of the arbor, Victok 
Baretti, attired in sombrero and mantle, enters through the 
garden-gate. ) 

Baretti. — (Solus.) Should the coast-guard surround me 
here, the egress from this garden by a single gate guarantees: 
my doom, but a. dare-devil rover should be fearless of death. 
By love or lightning 1 sha.ll surely die, as the wizard read it 



THE SEA-ROBBER. 2 1 

in the riddle of fate. {Entering the arbor, and sain ting 
Racilla.) We meet again, my gentle charmer. 

Racilla. — Oh, Victor, how kind in you to come to-ni^ht ! 

Baretti. — What dangers would 1 not have dared to meet 
my own Racilla? Bnt are there no prying ryes to watch us 
from the curtained casements of the mansion? 

Racilla. — All within the house, J think, are deep in 
slumber ; Uncle Timothy I am sure is fast asleep. 

Bar] !'ii. Has your un< le .m\ gold, or jewels hidden in 
the house ? 

Racilla.— There is a strange chest of iron-girded rose- 
w >od in an upper chamber. 

Baretti. — Ah! Do you .think that the chest contains 
valuables ? 

Racilla.- I don't know: my uncle always keeps it 
locked. But why do you ask so queer a question, Victor? 

Baretti. — Since your uncle has treated you so harshly. 
Racilla, would ii not be an excellent joke and a proper re- 
\ enge to rob him of that clu st ~ J 

Racilla.— He is so strict and fretful that such a trick 
would serve him just right. 

Barettl— Then, by San Raphael, he shall lose that iron- 
girded treasure-chest ! (Enter Sir Timothy Twillyn and 
Betsey Boneset upon the verandah) 

BetseY.— (Sotto voce.) Indeed, Sir Timothy, I saw a 
strange man cuter the arbor. 

'fwiLLYN. — (Sotto voce.) A kick -a - -day ! if the villain. 
tarries till I don mine armor there will be bloodshed to 
chronicle. Hasten, Betsey Boneset, hasten and summon 
the gardener to mv assistance. Bv Nicademus. I'll abide 



THK SEA-ROBBER. 



no desperadoes about my premises ! {ExeuntSiR Timothy 
Twillyn and Betsey Boneset within the house.) 

Baretti. — Just before reaching the- gate, I met a naval 
officer, who viewed me with a sharp glance of suspicion. 

Racilla. — It was Captain Anthony — 1 just hate him, but 
my uncle declares that I shall be the Captain's wife. 

Baretti. — But your uncle mistakes the exact situation of 
affairs, Racilla, if he imagines that his schemes cannot be 
defeated. 

Racilla. — Oh, Victor, I hope Captain Anthony did not 
suspect you as being the pirate chief. If you were seized 
upon suspicion, you surely would be hanged. 

Baretti. — Be not alarmed. Racilla, 1 shall never be 
captured by my enemies. But perhaps it is the safer plan 
for me not to linger here ; if I am discovered my purposes 
will be baffled. But to-morrow night, my Sea-queen, we will 
sail away beneath the shadow of the shrouding mists. {En- 
ter upon the veranda Sir Anthony Twillyn, clad in armor. 
Carrying in one hand a broadsword) and holding in the 
other a shield decorated with a gilded coat of arms, he de- 
scends to the garden-gate and assumes a gladiatorial atti- 
tude^) 

Racilla. — By the southern lattice I will await the signal 
of your coming. 

Baretti. — {Saluting Racilla.) Adieu, sweet love, till 
we meet again. {Going.) Ha ! what man is this, confront- 
ing me in armor? 

Racilla. — Alas, alas ! my uncle has discovered us — oh. 
Victor, do not strike him, he is but a gray, old man. 

Twillyn. — What ho ! what ho ! Come forth, you night- 
prowler, come forth, you villian ! — surrender or perish ! 



THE SEA-ROBBER. 23 



Baretti. — {Flinging aside his mantle and drawing his 
rapier.) Surrender? — not I ! Look to your guard, war- 
rior, — tilt — flan con ad e ! (Sir Timothy in parrying the at- 
tack, stumbles and falls, while Baretti disappears through 
the gate. At this instant Zebedee enters from the house, 
his confused attire revealing the haste in which he has 
donned his garments. Zebedee, followed by Racilla, 
Betsey Boneset, and Gnome, hastens to the assistance of 
Sir Timothy.) 

Betsey. — Oh, mercy me! alas, alas! Sir Timothy is 
killed ! 

Racilla. — Are you hurt, Uncle Timothy? Let me help 
you to the house. 

Twillyn. — {Assisted to his feet by the gardener. ) Alack - 
a-day ! hath the villian Med? God's blessing! I am so 
shaken by my ponderous tall. I scarce can keep my balance. 
{To Gnome.) Take my sword, boy. My blade had been 
victorious, had not the rusty corrosion of mine armor joints 
thrown me from mine equipoise. ( To the gardener.) Why 
came you not to mine assistance with more alacrity, 
Zebedee? 

Zebedee: — Before (rod. Master Twillyn, I awoke quickly, 
but getting tangled in my pantaloons I fell down the stair- 
case into the wine-vault and (tacked my head on a brandy - 
' ask, Master Twillyn. 

Twillyn. — Alack-a-day ! is this region the rendezvous of 
villians? By Nicodemus ! no clandestine night-prowlers 
shall abide in my garden without a conflict ! Betake your- 
self within the house, Racilla Trawl, betake yourself within 
the house ! find's blessing! am I to be slain at mine own 
gateway by roving paramours *? {Curtain/alls.) 



ACT III. 

Scene. — A room in Sir Timothy Twillyn's house. Sir 
Timothy's armor seen in its place, while his shield and 
broadsword hang on the wainscoting. Evening. Enter 
Sir Timothy Twillyn, clad in an ancient British costume. 
attended by Gnome. 

Twillyn. — (Sighing.) Ah me ! alack-a-day, alack-a-day, 
alack-a-day! Smooth the cushion of m\ chair, Gnome. 
In your touch, my lad. is a requisite skilfulness, unparalleled 
by the vulgar hirelings of this uncultured country. 'Seats 
himself.) Ah ! be grateful to fate, boy, that a nobleman 
delights to be your tutor. Well-a-day ! what sorry bedevil- 
ment of stupid faith leu 1 me to seek tins fabulous land with 
the hope of bettering my fortune? Alack-a-day ! the clod- 
poll rustics they do deride me, and prowling robbers arc my 
deep affright.. (A knock.) God's blessing! who knocks? 
ope the door. boy. (As Gnome opens the door. Captain 
Anthony enters. Rising, Sir Timothy grasps his visitor's 
hand.) Ah ! I bid you welcome Captain Anthony. 1 bid 
you welcome, sir. Gnome, my lad, place • the Captain's 
favored chair in close proximity to mine own. M\ senses, 
Captain, are being most deplorably dulled by the malarious 
vapors of this detestable climate. But in the infirmity of 
deafness the disastrous climatic effects are more particularly 
apparent. Gnome, my lad, prepare both the Captain and 
myself goblets of cheering punch. 

Gnome. — Yes, master — Cognac or Madeira? 



THE SEA-ROBBER. 2$ 



Twillyn, — Cognac, boy — Cognac, to-night. {Exit 
Gnome.) Ah ! be seated. Captain Anthony, be seated, sir. 
{As Captain Anthony seats himself, Sir Timothy sinks into 
his chair with a sigh.) 

Anthony. — J learn from your gardener, Sir Timothy, that 
after my departure last night you were involved in a fight 
with an armed desperado in your garden. 

Twillyn. — A most sanguinary conflict transpired in my 
garden last night, Captain Anthony, a most sanguinary con- 
flict, sir. But for the dexterity of my sword, assassination 
w<»uld have extinguished the last descendant of the valiant 
H< »use ot Twillyn. 

Anthony. — Pray give me the particulars of this affair, Sir 
Timothy, that 1 may put officers upon the track of the 
culprit. 

Twillyn. — God's blessing ! I chastised the villain so 
terribly with my broadsword that I feel no apprehension of 
his visit being repeated. Ah me ! had not mine armor been 
too ponderous for pursuit, the rascal had not escaped. 

Anthony.— Did you observe how the desperado was 
attired? 

Twillyn. — It affords me supreme satisfaction to assure 
you, Captain, that a portion of the villain's apparel is now 
in my possession. (Rising. Sir Timothy procures the 
mantle thrown aside by Baretti in the garden J) From the 
circumstance of my securing this mantle, you will readily 
perceive, Captain, that this marauder found his safety in 
extreme jeopardy. 

Anthony. — (Examining the mantle.) I am quite certain. 
Sir Timothy, that soon after leaving your gate last night, I 



26 THE SEA-ROBBEK. 

met the very man who wore this cloak. Did you discern 
his features? 

Twillyn. — From the glimpse I gained of his counte- 
nance, 1 infer that the rascal had a face of most evil ex- 
pression ; but my attention vos too profoundly occupied 
with the scoundrel's rapier to regard his visage ver\ closely. 
A girdle of atrocious weapons hung in his belt — in lad. 
Captain, the villain bristled with murder like an animated 
arsenal. 

Anthony. — Without doubt, Sir Timothy, you were assailed 
by Victor Baretti. the noted pirate chief. 

Twillyn. — (^Returning the. mantle to the place from 
whence he procured it.) Well-a-day, well-a-day, well-a-day ! 
should the supposition be sustained by ultimate evidence,. 
Captain, that I, in single combat, forced to flight the re 
nowned buccaneer, Victor baretti. I shall then realize with 
emotions of profound pleasure thai through myself die an- 
nals of the warlike House of Twillyn have been embellished 
by the valiant deeds of its last illustrious descendant. 
( Enter (ixoME with punch-bowls on a salver.) Heyday, 
boy! — heyday, you good genius of the wine-vault, heyday! 

Gnome. -{Placing the punch-bowls upon the. table.) The 
barrel of Cognac is nearly empty, master. 

Twillyn.— -Then, boy, broach another cask forthwith. 
Ah me! above the punch-bowl how my heart exalts! 
( Nudging ( rNOME playfully with his thumb. ) Hex day. bow 
heydey! be merry while life lasts, say the true philosophers; 
but beware, boy — ever beware, sa\ I, of the ashen visage of 
blear besotment. But your eyes grow sleepy, lad ; go seek 
your downy couch — hie away, boy. hie away, till the bright 
dawn glimmers in the orient skies! 



['HE SEA- ROBBER. 



2 7 



Gnome. -Yes, master. {Exit Gnome.) 

Twillln. — Come, Captain Anthony, come, sir; let us 
now discourse above our goblets. (Sir Timothy and 
( attain • Anhhoxv seat themselves at the table and sip their 
punch as they converse.} 

Anthony. — In truth, Sir Timothy, you possess the happy 
art of mixing the sweetest flavored punch the world affords. 

Twiu.yn. — Tn this sweet elixir of the vintage, mingled in 
the manner of Vespasian's feast, abides the true reason why 
the Roman legions ruled the world. Believe me, Captain, 
when I proclaim that to the vitiation of Roman punch may 
attributed the swift decline of the Roman empire. Doubt- 
less it were difficult to cite authority to sustain the fact, yet, 
nevertheless, such is the truth. You now taste. Captain, the 
nectar that fired to valiant deeds the cohorts of luxuriant 
Rome. 

Anthony.— 1 venture to surmise that you were once a 
lion in gay society, Sir Timothy. 

Twillyn. — Ah me ! in younger days I. were a merry 
reveller. Before my person grew corpulent I could dance 
like a manikin. Alack-a-day ! could I but sing the jovial 
songs of yore, the silent echoes of this room would ring to 
the madrigal and ditty, but I shall sing no more the melo- 
dies that sanctify the past. Ah me ! the sepulchre of silence 
holds the mirth of other days. 

Anthony. — I cannot refrain. Sir Timothy, from again 
praising this delicious beverage. 

Twillyn. — Well may its qualities be praised, Captain 
Anthony, well may its qualities be praised, sir ; it limbers 
the legs and it sharpens the wits. There is profound 
wisdom in the maxim that says : A fickle friend may change 



2<S THE SEA- ROBBER. 



with the weather, but honest wine wears a smile forever 
But a strange habit hath befallen me of late. Captain. B\ 
times when pondering o'er mine evening punch, a drowsy, 
vacuous haze beclouds mine eyes, till from out my chair 
I topple to the floor with crash of dire confusion. 

Anthony. — All at last must yield to weary age — 

Twillyn. — Nay, nay, sir! neither age nor wine hath 
broken my vigor: but the abominable climate hath undone 
me through the bedevilment of ague chills. 

Anthony. — But to return to the subjecl of your affray 
with the outlaw in the garden — was not Raeilla much 
alarmed at your danger? 

Twillyn. — {Excitedly.) By Nicodemus! you recall to 
my mind, Captain, an important circumstance connected 
with that conflict that had quite vanished from my re- 
membrance. Alack-a-day how the damnable climate hath 
shattered my memory ! Earn constrained to inform you, 
Captain, that when I pounced upon that night-prowler in 
my garden, 1 discovered my niece, Raeilla Trawl, in close 
conversation with the villain. 

Anthony. — You astound me, Sir Timothy ! Is Raeilla so 
rash a girl as to knowingly entertain the sea-robber, Victor 
Baretti? 

Twillyn. — By Nicodemus! it inflates me with fury, 
Captain, to think of my niece coquetting with a buccaneer. 
Mack a-day ! must, this domicile be again shaken by a 
domestic earthquake? (Sir Timothy rises angrily and 
strikes a call-bell.) Ah me! in my niece I detect the 
identical failing that characterized her unfortunate mother — 
a proclivity to silly flirtations with strange men. Alack-a- 
dav ! amid a multitude of misfortunes, I find the women 



THE SKA- ROBBER. 



2 9 



and the weather forever paramount. {Enter Betsey 
Boneset and Racilla Trawl.) 

Betsey.— Did you strike the bell, Sir Timothy? 
Racilla. — Did you ring for me, Uncle? 
rwiLLYN. — Racilla Trawl, are you aware whom you were 
entertaining in the garden last night? 

Racilla. — Oh, certainly. Uncle; it was the gentleman 
who rescued me from danger not long ago. 

Twillyn. — Rescued you from danger? I should like to 
know, by Nicodemus, what danger you have been getting 
into of late ! Is it not my command that you keep within 
the house ? 

Racilla. — Yes. Uncle. 

Twillyn.— Hereafter, Racilla Trawl, it will become my 
painful duty to lock you within the house at nightfall. If 
you are incapable of distinguishing the peculiar difference 
between a gentleman and a prowling assassin, it behooves 
me in the interest of self-preservation to restrain your 
liberty. Come here. Captain Anthony, come here, sir ; 1 
desire you to inform my niece of the probable character of 
the scoundrel whom she was clandestinely entertaining m 
ray garden last night. 

Anthony. — (Advancing.) Miss Racilla, I must earnestly 
request you not to expose yourself to danger again by quit- 
ting the house after dark. I am convinced from what your 
uncle tells me that the pirate chief, Victor Baretti, was in 
this vicinity last night. 

Racilla. — But what matters it to you. Captain Anthony, 
it Victor baretti was in this vicinity last night? 

Anthony. — ft concerns me very much, Racilla, since a 
consideration for your welfare lies so near rav heart. 



30 THE SEA-ROBBER. 



Racilla. — Is it my welfare, or my dowry that lies so near 
your heart, Captain Anthony? 

Anthony. — (/// amazement.} What — what — why. Racilla, 
what do you mean ? 

Racilla. — Can you deny the fact. Captain Anthony, that 
you have recently deserted a young lady for no other reason 
than the hope of gaining my uncle's wealth by winning me? 

Anthony. — {In confusion.) I have never — that is — why, 
Racilla, what meddlesome tattler has been telling you this 
nonsense ? 

Racilla. — It is the truth I tell you, and you know it is the 
truth, Captain Anthony ; you are a faithless — 

Twillyn. — {Skimping his foot.) Silence, Racilla Trawl ! 
Never again let me hear you dispute the truthful statements 
of a gentleman of Captain Anthony's honorable standing. 
By Nicodemus ! no guest of mine shall be the victim of 
feminine vituperation without an uproar immediately ensuing. 
Retire to your chamber this instant, Racilla Trawl ! To- 
morrow you shall humbly apologize to the Captain for your 
present inexcusable perversity of politeness. 1 command 
you to instantly retire to your chamber, Racilla Trawl ! 
{Exit Racilla.) Alack-a-day ! how prone to lawless speech 
is woman's tongue ! Ah me ! a matrimonial alliance with a 
woman of loquacious speech is the only thing lacking to 
complete the beelevilment of my domestic misery. Allow 
me, Captain, to inform you very confidentially that my 
housekeeper, Betsey Boneset, is deeply in love with myself, 
but I assure you, Captain, that I repel her affectionate ad- 
vances with the true dignity of a philosopher and a mi- 
sogynist. (Betsey Boneset, tvho has been engaged in 
arranging the bric-a-brac upon an embrasure of the room. 



THE SEA-ROBBER. 3 



and whose presence Sir Timothy has forgotten while speak- 
ing, noii.' steps forward.') 

Betsey. — Shame on you. Sir Timothy ! I am shocked to 
find your vanity leading you into such a falsehood. I have 
inner in my life forgotten the modesty that belongs to a 
lady, and for you to take a glance in your direction as a 
token of love is the very height of absurdity. 

Twillyn. — I am constrained to declare in defence of my 
position. Betsey, that you have often remarked in observing 
the ample elegance of my person that my figure would be a 
majestic model for a sculptor. 

Betsey. — Yes, Sir Timothy ; as a monument of brass — 

Twillyn. — Heine the first charge being admitted, we 
proceed to the second impeachment. Have you not praised 
the exquisite complexion of my cheeks? 

Betsey. — I have spoken of your marvellous cheek— 

Twillyn. — Hence the second charge being admitted, we 
proceed to the third impeachment. Have you not kissed 
the dimple in my chin. Betsey, murmuring in loving accents. 
co< >— w< x >— gush y— 1 too? 

Betsey. — You talk like a fool, Sir Timothy, but I hope 
Captain Anthony understands your mental condition— shame 
on you ! I will not remain in this room an instant longer .' 
{Exit Betsey Boneset hastily.) 

Twillyn. — I assure you, Captain. 1 had quite forgotten. 
as I spoke, that my housekeeper was in this apartment. By 
Nficodemus ! it is singular that when you winked at me, 
Captain. 1 did not comprehend the significance of the 
warning. Although brandy may sometimes tangle my vocal 
tones, it never obscures my wits. I have a faculty, you per- 



32 ['HE SEA-ROBBER. 



ceive, of triumphantly surmounting the most unexpected 
and the most embarrassing emergencies. 

Anthony. — I must now be going, Sir Timothy. But I am 
completely mystified in regard to the sudden change in 
Racilla's manner. 

TwiLLYN. — Be not disheartened, Captain Anthony, be not 
disheartened, sir. Some slanderous rumor hath reached 
her ears ; but my preference shall prevail ; my niece shall 
be your consort. Good night. Captain Anthony, good night. 
sir. 

Anthony. — Good night, Sir Timothy, good night. {Ex// 
Captain Anthony.) 

Twillyn. — {Solus.) What whimsical bedevilment of 
folly possessed my niece to treat Captain Anthony in such 
on outrageous manner? But a commotion will ensue if my 
niece persists in her impertinence. By Nicodemus ! I am 
no griddle-cake to be turned in a kitchen stewpan at a 
woman's option. Well-a-day, the fa6t cannot be disputed, 
that the happiest man in history was Robinson Crusoe. 
{Contemplating himself in a mirror.) Ah me! despite 
the havoc wrought upon my visage by the detestable climate, 
there still lingers around my lineaments some vestige of the 
beauty that adorns the far-famed Twillyns. But, alack-a- 
day, I must seek my chamber for repose; mine eyes grow 
dull and drowsy. {Exit Sir Timothy Twillyn. Enter 
Racllla Trawl.) 

Racilla. — {Solus.) At last my uncle's peevish voice is 
still ; deep may he sleep to-night. Like a dream it seems 
to me .to think how soon I leave this lonesome house for- 
ever. But, oh, how grand to sail with Victor on the distant 
seas ! 'Tis midnight ; at the lattice T will listen — hush ! 



THE SEA-ROBBER. 33 



{Tossed through the open lattice, a knotted sash falls within 
the room. As Racilla unbolts the door, Victor Baretti 
ruters, followed by Simon Flash and the pirates. Chaos. 
Pluto, and Bacchus, all armed.) 

Baretti. — Racilla, my love, which way leads to the old 
man's treasure-chest ? J 

Racilla. — {Opening a door.) This way. Victor, — up 
three flights of stairs. 

Baretti. — The night deepens, but the decoyed patrols of" 
the coast-guard may soon return ; we must move hastily. 
Await me on the veranda. Racilla : in a few moments I will 
descend 

Racilla. — Hut you will not harm my uncle? 

Baretti. My promise is given, he shall not he molested. 
{Exit Racilla.) Now, my lads, hold your rapiers ready, I 
will lead and Simon Flash will follow. {Exeunt Victor 
Bareiti and the other pirates. Then enter Betsey Boneset 
who knoeks nervously at Sir Timothy's chamber door. 
Enter Sir Timothy clad in nightcap, nightshirt, and 
breeches I) 

Betsey. — Oh ! Sir 'Timothy, what shall we do? A dozen 
brigands have broken into the house — I heard their feet 
upon the stairs. 

Twillyn. — Alack-a-day ! your condition is becoming 
serious, Betsey, chronically serious. I fear. My repose is 
being continually disturbed by your hysterical hallucinations. 
By Nicodemus ! if you are unable to comprehend the 
difference between nightmare and reality — 

Betsey. — If you do not believe me, Sir Timothy, go listen 
for yourself. (Sir Timothy listens at the foot of the stair- 



THK SEA-ROBBE R. 



case, indicating his desire for complete silence by the ges- 
ticulations of his finger.) 

Twillyn. — By Nicodemus ! there are louder noises aloft 

than rats could produce ; there are sounds like footsteps in 
the garret. 

Betsey. — Oh. mercy, mercy me! What shall we do? 
what shall we do? Are we all to be murdered? 

Twillyn. — Perplex me not with prattle. Betsey Boneset, 
perplex me not with prattle, but hasten with alacrity and 
arouse the gardener to my assistance. I will encounter the 
robbers in mine armor. By Nicodemus ! prior to my capit- 
ulation, this room shall run blood like a slaughter-pen. 
( Exit Betsey Boneset. After blundering about in nervous 
agitation. Sir Timothy finally succeeds in arraying himself 
in armor, and advances, hearing the shield in one hand and 
the broadsword in the other. Enter Zebedee hurriedly, 
appearing in his excitement with his pantaloons on reversed, 
and carrying in his hand a pruning-hook as a weapon.) 

Zebedee. — Where is the burglar, Master Twillyn ? I will 
kill him. 

Twillyn. — Zebedee. the garret is being ransacked by a 
gang of thieves, and bloodshed is to follow. Therefore. 
Zebedee, 1 beseech you to valiantly support me in this dire- 
ful emergency, nor basely desert me at the sight of gore. 
Hark ! the villians are descending. 

Zebedee. — I will trip them. Master Twillyn. and you can 
chop off their heads. (Zebedee crouches by the door lead- 
ing to the staircase, and as the pirates enter the room hear- 
doc a massive chest, lie darts the handle of the pruning-hook 
among their legs. ) 

Chaos. — (falling.) 1'erdition ! look to your feet, mates. 



THE SEA-ROBBER. - $=> 

{The pi raft' s drop the chesty and with their rapiers they at- 
tack Sir Timothy #«</ Zebedee. Exit Zebedee in alarm.) 

Bacchus. — (To Twillyn.) Old turtle, your armor is 
your shroud ! 

Pluto. — Old tortoise your time has come ! 

Baretti. — Quick, lads ! 1 hear the bugle of the guards. 
( The pirates eateh up the chest and dash for the outer door. 
pursued by Sir Timothy.) 

Twillyn.— Ho villains! Relinquish my memorials ; sur- 
render my documents, you scoundrels ! 

Flash. — {Checking with his rapier Sir Timothy's ad- 
vance.) Old cormorant, the dock-ument of your head 
results, it you follow further — halt ! {Exeunt pirates. 
Enter Captain Anthony, Betsey Boneset, Zebedee, and 
Gnome.) 

Twillyn. — Alack-a-day ! alack-a-day ! my house is 
pillaged, and rnv records are lost, — forever lost ! 

Anthony. — Be not frantic. Sir Timothy, the knaves will 
not easily escape the angry patrols. 

Twillyn! — Alack-a-day 1 The fact cannot be disputed 
that 1 am the victim of a villainous conspiracy. Since the 
robbers seized nothing but my documents of nobility, it is 
appallingly evident, Captain Anthony, that a plot is pro- 
gressing in England to rob me of my title of nobility. 
(Surveying the group around him.) Where is my niece, 
Racilla Trawl? By Nicodemus ! can it be that my niece is 
an accomplice in the bedevilment of this deplorable con- 
spiracy? Zebedee, Gnome, idiots! unharness me; this 
armor impedes my circumlocution. 

( Curtain falls.) 



\<T IV. 
Scene. — The cabin of the war-ship, Trojan. A tabic in 
view on which lies a chart, a sextant, and a log-book, 
while hanging upon the wall is seen a log-board, a ba- 
rometer and other nautical appurtenances. Sunset, with 
the vessel drilling on a stormy sea. Enter Captain 
Anthony and Jonas Sage.) 

Anthony. — {Ma kino entries upon the log-board.) A 
terrible night is before us. Jonas ; the barometer is falling 
rapidly, and I fear we are entering the verge of a tropic 
tornado. What canvas flies unfurled? 

Sage.— The maintop and fore-royal studding sails are set. 
sir. 

Anthony. — Reef instantly every inch, of canvas; furl 
dose the riving jib and mizzen-spanker. Hark, how the 
ocean roars ! Command the sailor on lookout to scan with 
vigilance the darkening sea ; the pirate ship is near. 

Sage. — Aye, aye. sir ; but Heaven save us from a sea light 
in this storm. (Exit Jonas Sage. Enter Sir Timothy 

TWILLYN.) 

Twillyn.— Captain, 1 am constrained to caution you in 
regard to die dubious character of your crew. The 
scoundrels have some evil intention, some murderous 
purpose in eying me so critically. In my mind, Captain, 
the suspicion is confirmed that we are in the power of a 
mutinous press-gang from Botany Bay. 



THE SEA-ROBBER. 



Anthony. — Be not alarmed. Sir Timothy, the sailors are 
all jolly lads ; just speak to them pleasantly in the common 
language of the sea, and they will be your friends at once. 

Twillyn. — Alack-a-day ! T can never descend, to converse 
with sailors in a vulgar jargon of profanity. Why, Captain, 
when the masts crack in the tempest. I could never howl 
damnation and amen. 

Anthony. — If their manners are rude, the sailors are lads 
with kind hearts. But our danger lies in the elements ; un- 
less the storm soon abates, we are all doomed to sleep under 
a sea-weed blanket, pale bedfellows with Davy Jones. 

Twillyn.— Alack-a-day ! what melancholy bedevilment of 
misfortune tempted me to undertake a sea-voyage? In the 
elemental inquisition of sea-sickness I suffer the most dismal 
of martyrdoms. Ah me ! Captain, my stomach is in a 
doleful condition from so frequently spewing over the 
tafTrail. I am wasting away on a sea-diet. Captain. By 
Xicodemus ! I have not the proper gizzard to digest your 
sea-biscuit and stale herring. Why, Captain, the victuals 
that starvation forces me to devour would kill with colic the 
most stubborn of voracious crocodiles. 

Anthony. — But you remember, Sir Timothy, that 1 
earnestly advised you not to venture upon the sea. 

fwiLLYN. — J recall your admonition. Captain Anthony, I 
recall your admonition, sir ; but my documents of nobility 
might be destroyed through the malicious ignorance of the 
mariners, if I were not present at the capture of the pirate 
ship. The fate of my niece is a trifling matter. Captain, a 
very trifling matter, sir, compared with the importance of 
safely regaining my documents of nobility. But I do pro- 
foundly regret bringing my sword and armor, for the rascally 



$8 THE SEA-ROBBER. 

sailors have repeatedly broken into my state-room to inspect 
my martial equipage. {Enter the sailors, Tom, Bill, and 
Jim ■, in < 'xcite men t. ) 

Tom — The ship is haunted ! 

Bill. — A ghost is in the hold ! 

Jim. — The devil is in the locker, Captain ! 

Anthony. — Nonsense ! Attend to your duties, you crazy 
stormbirds. 

Twillyn. — Captain, this disturbance shall be investigated. 
By Nicodemus"! this ship shall not be invaded by chopfallen 
apparitions. {Exit Sir Timothy with the sailors. Captain 
Anthony seats himself at the table and after making an 
entry in the log-book, rests his head upon his hand in ab- 
stracted /bought. ) 

Anthony. — (Solus.) If I am shipwrecked in this hurri- 
cane, it will be a just judgment upon me. In this dark hour 
I realize my baseness. Like a fool I have forsaken the 
noblest girl on earth only to be jilted by a sea-robber's 
gypsy. Sir Timothy and his niece are costing me such a 
sad experience that I find the old man's gabble begins t<» 
annoy me, —confound his wealth ! I will bear his bluster no 
longer. If the ship outrides this tempest and ever reaches 
port, I will seek poor Myra and implore her forgiveness. 
(As Captain Anthony direcls his attention to the chart 
before him, Myra Auber enters robed in the vesture of an 
apparition. Advancing, she lays a locket upon the table.) 

Anthony. — (Starting from his seat in dismay.) Eternal 
Heavens ! what warning shape is this ? Speak, pale harbin- 
ger of shipwreck, are we doomed to ruin? (Exit Myra 
Auber. Captain Anthony examines the locket.) This 
seems like the very ornament I gave to Myra just a year 



THE SEA-ROBBER. 39 

ago. Shadow of destruction ! how my faculties are dazed ! 
( Enter Sir Timothy with his periwig awry and his clothes 
deranged, die carries his shield in cue hand, while his 
broadsword dangles from a rope around his waist. Sir 
Timothy is followed by the sailors, Tom, Bill, and Jim.) 

Twillyn. — Captain, this blasphemous, hiccoughing gang 
of drunken knaves — 

Tom. — Say, Captain, who is skipper on this craft, you or 
that old pelican ? 

Anthony. — Speak one at a time ; what is the trouble. Sir 
Timothy? 

Twillyn. — Realizing the tremendous momentum of the 
vessel. Captain, and observing an evident error in the 
management of the helm, I regarded it as an obligation 
devolving upon myself to expostulate with the pilot. 
Anthony. — Well, what said the pilot? 
Twillyn. — The insolent scoundrel recommended me to 
the volcanic regions of eternal flame. 

Bill. — Captain, the old landlubber don't know the differ- 
ence between port-your-helm and Portuguese. 

Twillyn. — Quitting the pilot, Captain, I stooped to 
scrutinize the peculiar construction of the capstan, when 
yonder sordid villain, {Pointing at Jim.) taking advantage of 
my position, smote the posterior portion of my person with 
a hickory oar. By Nicodemus ! a nobleman of my degree 
is no puppet to be knocked across scupper-holes and down 
hatchways by a gang of arrant buffoons. Furthermore, 
Captain, the scoundrels have saturated my vesture with a. 
bucket of bilge-water, or something worse; ahem- you 
comprehend the insinuation, Captain. 

Anthony. — Since your inquisitive interference so annoys 



4-0 THE SEA -RUBBER. 



the sailors, I advise you, Sir Timothy, to remain in vour 
state-room. 

Sailors.— Bravo, Captain ! 

Twillyn. — By Nicodemus ! I am no peacock to be cooped 
in a hurricane, nor simpleton to be drowned in shipwreck 
like a rat in a rum puncheon. These ruffians swear to throw 
mine armor in the sea ; protect me, Captain, or the Admi- 
ralty shall revoke your commission on the charge of de- 
linquency and abetment of outrage. But alack-a-day ! we 
are careening from the verge of danger into the vortex of 
destruction. Permit these blockheads to manage- this ship 
another hour, Captain, and there will be food for the sharks 
and plunder for the wreckers. 

Jim. — {Advancing threateningly.) Call me a blockhead. 
you old parrot-, and I'll arrange your remains for sea burial ! 

Twillyn. — {Smiting his shield upon Jim's head.) By 
Nicodemus ! if I can break your neck, I shall balance my 
grudge, you atrocious villain ! (Enter Jonas Sage.) 

Sage. — Captain, we sight the black ship to windward ; she 
squares her yards and luffs for battle. (Sir Timothy and 
Jim abandon /heir altercation to listen.) 

Anthony. — How far to starboard lies the pirate craft? 

Sage. — A half league, sir. With storm jib set, she skims 
the surges like a giant raven. 

Anthony. — Pipe all hands aloft — charge the starboard 
guns with chain-shot. We'll salute the rovers with a salvo 
that shall saake their keelson loose. 

Sage. — Aye, aye, sir. (Exit Jonas Sage.) 

Twillyn. — (Striving to remove his broadsword from the 
rope at his waist. ) Alack-a-day ! alack-a-day ! my bel- 
ligerent equipment is not adequate for a warlike encounter. 



SEA-ROBBER. 4] 

But there will by an uproar, by Nicodemus, before I am 
butchered by abominable buccaneers ! ( Enter Myra Auber 
as an apparition. Exeunt Sir Timothy and the. sailors in 
alarm . ) 

Anthony. — {Levelling his revolver.} Speak, pale spectre 
of the tempest, what is your mission? 

Myra.— Oh, Robert, do not kill me ! 

Anthony. — Great Heaven ! Myra. what does this mean? 
1 am astounded. 

Myra. — Oh, Robert, in this disguise I hid within the ship 
that you might lack no care if hurt in battle. 

Anthony . ( Embracing Myra.) My own sweet angel of 
forgiveness! From my heart no power shall sunder you 
again. Should the old ship Trojan sink to-night, its oaken 
walls shall be our ocean tomb. 

( Curtain falls.) 



ACT V. 
Scene. — The saloon of the pirate ship. Vampire. Between 
the gilded ceiling and the Turkish carpet, hang tapestries 
embossed in gold. Above the luxuriant embellishments of 
the saloon the emblem of a death'' 's-head and cross-bones 
glares downward from an ebon arch. Sunset, with a 
hurricane raging on the sea. Enter Victor Baretti and 
Racilla Trawl, Racilla attired in a brilliant costume of 
spangled satin . labile Baretti wears a crimson tunic and 
plumed turban. Baretti carries a casket of jewels in his 
hand. 

Racilla. — Oh, Victor, 'tis a fearful storm ! 

Baretti. — My pretty Queen, let not the tempest's roar 
alarm you. To-morrow will bring the quiet waves and 
tranquil skies that waft us to our haven. But now, my love, 
I wish you to choose from this casket of gems the necklace 
whose lustre will best become your beauty. 

Racilla.— But you will place the gems around my neck, 
and decide which looks the best, will you not, Victor? 

Baretti. — Yes, my Peri, [ will try to determine the hues 
of harmony, but I fear between topaz and sapphire and the 
splendor of your sparkling eyes my dazzled vision will de- 
cide amiss. (Baretti and Racili a retire to the /-emote ex- 
tremity of the saloon. While Racilla reclines upon a divan. 
Barktti lifts from out the casket numerous necklaces and 
gems which he submits to Racilla 's inspection ', placing them 



THE SEA-ROBBER. 43 

one by one around her neck in critical comparison. Enter 
Chaos, Pluto, and Bacchus, bearing the iron-bound chest 
stolen from the house of Sir Timothy Twillyn ; the pirates 
set the chest down in the foreground.) 

Chaos. — -By the Captain's permission we will explore the 
contents of this treasure-chest. If wealth he estimated 1>\ 
weight we carry a ton of gold. 

Bacchus. — Great riches should reward us, mates, for our 
boldness and sagacity in securing this box. The fact of our 
si ill clinging to our booty after escaping the sentries by 
falling over a three fathom precipice, is enough to commend 
us to the favor of the gods. By the Eternal Powers ! I have 
not been so scared since my chin was shaved by a crazy 
barber in Matanzas. 

Pluto. — Jove, mates ! here is the chest and here is the 
keyhole, but where the devil is the key? 

Chaos. — A very proper question, Pluto ; where the devil 
is the key? If 1 remember aright, Pluto, about the time 
we captured this baggage we were in some haste, and the 
result seems to be that we came away without requesting 
the owner to lend us a lock opener. There is a parallel. 
Pluto, between a keyhole without a key and a knot-hole in 
the gate of Heaven. 

Bacchus. — We must pry off the lid. Pluto, go get your 
crow-bar or burglar's jimmy and we will burst off the cover. 
We are lucky to have a burglar in our midst who will lend 
us his professional tools and services on this occasion. 

Pluto. — I confess, gentlemen, that years ago I acquired 
a habit of exploring the basements of banks with a crow- 
bar and a bull's-eye lantern, but — 

Chaos. — Don't blush, Pluto, don't blush; the failings of 



44 THE SEA-ROBBER. 

youth are common to all. Years ago, Pluto, I was parson 
of a Presbyterian church, but between prayers in the pulpit 
and poker playing in the tavern. 1 grew to regard Voltaire 
as greater than Moses. After a time' a jealous deacon ac- 
cused me of intimacy with his wife, whereupon I took 
persona] charge of the church funds and slatted for the 
South Sea Islands with a sheriff at my heels. 

Bacchus. — Gentlemen, I was only a doctor who gave up 
the bolus and lancet for the bullet and cutlass. 

Pluto. — And the law would hang you, Bacchus, just 
because you prefer to kill sailors rather than landsmen. This 
is a very peculiar world, Bacchus ; but I confess that I feel 
easier to find we are men of equal degree. But wait a 
moment, mates, and 1 will be back with a jack-bar. {Exit 
Pluto.) 

Chaos. — Between you and me. Bacchus, it is surprising 
how fond of the women our Captain is growing. 

Bacchus. — Never saw so singular a case in my life, Chaos. 
Had the Captain quit the sea to become a plantation mule- 
driver it would not have amazed me more. 

Chaos.— Ah. Bacchus, before renegades turn farmers the 
hemp crop must fail. But between you and me. Bacchus, 
1 think the Captain has the idea of fitting up a harem in the 
Turkish style. But here comes Pluto. {-Enter Pluto, 
carrying a burglar's jimmy. ) 

Pluto. — A mighty rough sea is running, mates, and we 
are in for a squally night : but here is the jimmy. 

Chaos. — Pluto, the glitter in your eye tells me you have 
been tasting brandy- eh, Pluto? 

Pluto. — Only a drop, mates, just for good fortune on this 
occasion. {He applies his instrument to the lock of the 



THE SKA- ROBBER. 45 

chest, while Chaos and Bacchus lift on the lid.) Be 
(•.ireful. Chaos, or you get your thumbs caught in a jimmy 
jamb. We may well be merry, mates ; if we gain no 
gewgaws, we shall find a jimcrack. (As the chest is forced 
open, the three pirates proceed eagerly to examine its contents, 
which consists only of old papers and parchments. Exit 
Cafi'ain Baretti, after placing in Racilla's hands the casket 
of Jewels. ) 

Chaos. — Blast my eves, what a swindle ! 

Bacchus. — Cockroaches and rubbish ! 

Pluto. — Rats' nests and ruin ! 

Chaos. — Here's a rich reward for cracking our skulls on 
the smutty rafters of a nobleman's cockloft! 

Pluto. — Here's a fine halm for broken shins ! 

Bacchus. — We're the devil's laughing-stocks, mates. 
How in perdition did this blunder come about? Where is 
the Captain ? 

Chaos. — The skipper has gone aloft to set the forecastle 
watch. 

Pluto. — Say, mates, isn't the Captain's lady a lovely 
damsel? Just look at the pretty creature, mates. 

Bacchus. — Pluto, dear man, you are badly smitten. Ah, 
Pluto, love should be tasted with caution, like hot potatoes. 

Pluto. — By Jove ! I'll kiss the pretty jade to spite 
Baretti. 

Chaos. — A dagger to a doubloon that you dare not do it. 

Pluto. — Enough ! I take the wager. 

Bacchus. — {To Chaos.) Brandy makes Pluto brave. 

Chaos. — If Pluto is caught in this trick, the sharks will 
get a luncheon. (Racilla rises in alarm as Pluto ap- 



46 THE SEA-ROBBER. 



p7-oaches. Enter Baretti who grapples Pi. urn, da's king Mm 
angrily backward through an aperture in the tapestry.) 

Chaos. — Cods, mate ! Baretti is in a blazing rage. 

Bacchus. — W we tarry here, he may tickle our ribs with- 
his rapier ; come on. Chaos. ( Exeunt Cha< >s. and Bacchus, 
carrying the e/iest. Baretti and Racilla advance to the 
foreground.} 

Racilla. — {Clinging to Baretti /// alarm.) Oh, Motor. 
that dreadful man will kill you ! 

Baretti. — Fie, fie. my pretty one ! banish from your 
mind such silly fears. ( )n this vessel the dread of vengeance 
makes my voice the law. 

Racilla.- — But oh, Victor ! the wretch glared at you with 
such ev< s of cruel hate that I know he plans your murder! 

Bark - ] n.— These men know better than to rouse my rage ; 
they know defiance leads to death. But if it will make you 
happier, my timid one, I will put on my dagger-proof 
doublet. 

Racilla. — Oh, Victor, I do beg of you to protect your- 
self! 

Baretti. — My pretty Peri, your sweet request my heart 
cannot resist ; I will shield myself from this fancied danger. 
( Taking dozvn from its place a breastplate of chain-mail. 
Baretti removes his tunic, and assisted by Racilla, arrays 
himself in the doublet of glittering mail, which he conceals 
by again donning his tunic.) 

Baretti. — Ah, many a time, my love, the clashing scimi- 
tars have smote this mail in battle. 

Racilla. — Yes, Victor, and I feel that you are safer now. 

Baretti. — Ah, my Queen, how it enchants my sight to 
see \<>u smile again ! But I must now direct the pilot at 



THE SEA-ROBBER. 47 

the helm. No one dare molest you here ; so be not alarmed, 
my love, while I am gone. 

Racilla. — Oh, Victor, do let me go on deek with you, 1 
would so like to see the ocean in this storm. 

Baretti. — What a wild request ! a sea-witch would be 
blown through the bowline bridles in this gale. But to end 
your pleading, my Peri, you may go with me as far as the 
balustered hatchway. {Exeunt Baretti and Racilla. 
Enter Pluto with a dagger his It a /id.) 

Pluto. — {Solus.) This stiletto will do the deed, — Baretti 
shall die ! We who made him leader are reduced to slaves : 
but this blade will be our liberator. With the Captain's 
death, the men will rally in revolt and victory will be gained. 
Hush*! the Captain comes. (Pluto conceals himself behind 
the tapestry. Enter Baretti and Racilla.) 

Baretti. — The winds will lull at midnight: across the 
dark expanse — 

Pluto. — {Springing upon Baretti.) Tyrant! a king no 
longer, you are carrion now ! {As the dagger clashes against 
Baretti's metal doublet, Pluto darts from view.) 

Baretti. — Mutineer ! traitor ! from the yard-arm you 
swing at sunrise ! 

Racilla. — Oh, Victor, Victor! 

Baretti. — Be not frightened, love. I am not harmed. 
Again this rigid breastplate saves. my life. Ah. my Princess, 
'tis well I listened to your fears. [Enter Chaos.) 

Chaos. — Captain, Pluto has plunged from the quarter- 
deck into the sea. 

Baretti. — Destruction to the conspirator! a thousand 
fathoms let the traitor sink ! What the vultures lose the 



— 

— 
- 

— 
— 

j 

— 

— 

[ 
— £ 

- 

- 



THE SEA-ROBE 

d-houndofth our track, a ship- tear. 

Racelea. — But, Victor, von can sail beyond its reach. 
at the command 
battle. Were I tc pe, my b boldly follow. 

Mine - - fate. Where ever m\ 

I walk in the shadow oi death. 
Racilla. — 

r, /will fight 'before they shall ever chain you 

Baretti. — My brave little PriE • - me 

if we lose the batt 

Racllla. — ^ - >r, I will die with you ; when yoi; 

_ >ut wretched^' - 

give me the cutlass 
ighted taper. ( 

• 

/.) Hark ! 'tis t lose for 

battle. But I 5 > 

vault the ua earthquake. Kindle 

tons of powder stored below will rend this ship to > 
Let the third sudd. - ' my trumpet be the toke 

Lt : then, my Princess, drop your bla 
powder-chest below and these mighty walls ot timber 
umder of destruction. 
Racilla. — ^ - . 1 will drop t - -, 

Barettl. — Hark! the grapnels fall and 
battle. ) Quell your tears, my lore; 

aemory of a hundred triumphs fills my heart with h 
veil, my love, till \ 5 [ return. 



50 THE SEA-ROBBER. 

Racilla. — Good-bye, Victor ; I will wait and hope ; good- 
bye, good-bye. (As Baretti disappears, Simon Flash 
dashes across the saloon, followed by Chaos and Bacchus, 

armed with boarding-pikes and rapiers. Then a hurried 
trampling of feet is heard on deck, followed by shouts, cries, 
and the clashing of arms. As Racilla listens to the sounds 
of conflicl, the changing emotions of hope, doubt, and fear 
a/-e risible in her aspect. Suddenly two quick peals ring 
from Baretti's trumpet. With a shudder of despair Racilla 
kneels and covering her exes, holds the taper poised above the 
powder vault. Loud cheering heard, then enter Baretti, 
waving from the point of his cutlass the ensign of the cap- 
tured ship. ) 

Baretti. — Huzza ! huzza ! \vt j have conquered ! Again 
the Vampire floats the monarch of the sea ! (As Racilla 
rises to meet Baretti, the curtain falls .) 



ACT VI. 
Scene. — A cave in the pirate isle of Mora in the Gulf oj 
Mexico. Stalaclite pillars of tinted crystals support the 
distant arches of the grotto, while among flags and other 
trophies of piratic victories, the armor, shield, broadsword, 
and iron-bound chest, belonging to Sir Timothy Twillyn, 
are all visible. Enter Barf/iti and Racii.i.a attired in 
brilliant costumes. 

Baretti. — In a few moments a deputy will arrive who will 
offer me exemption from the penalties incurred by my career 
of piracy, providing that in abandoning my present life, I 
will accept certain prescribed conditions. 

Racii.i.a. — For my sake. Victor, do give up this dreadful 
life of plunder. 

Baeetti. — For your sake, my Princess, I will accept any 
terms that are honorable. Between the guns of the navy 
and the daggers of mutiny. I am in constant danger of 
death. 

Racii.i.a. — Did all the people on the war ship sink with 
the wreck ? 

Baretti. — The crew went down with the vessel, but to 
save the life of a lady, who for some strange reason was 
voyaging with him, the Captain yielded ; we also captured a 
quaint, old gentleman, whose absurd questions and ceaseless 



THE SEA-ROBB1 R. 



complaints have given us much annoyance. {Enter Chaos 
and Bacchus, leading a blindfolded messenger. ) 

Chaos. — Here's your man, Captain ; if you can save our 
necks by negotiation, the whole gang of us is ready to dis- 
band. 

Baretti. — -Very well, Chaos, remove the scarf from the 
herald's eyes and then bring in the prisoners. 

Chaos. — Aye, aye, sir. {Exeunt Chaos and Bacchus.) 

Messenger. — Is the pirate chief present? 

Baretti. — The pirate chief stands before you. I am Victor 
Baretti. 

Messenger. — (Producing a paper leaning an official seal.) 
Victor Baretti, by the authority of General Jackson, I have 
the honor of offering you the pardon and protection of the 
United States, providing you immediately lead your forces 
to the defence of the City of New Orleans, which is now 
threatened with destruction by the British troops under 
General Packenham. 

Baretti. — Am I allowed the right to retain all property 
now in my possession ? 

Messenger. — You hold in your hand the pledge of Gen- 
eral Jackson ; you are permitted to retain all plunder now 
in your possession, regardless of how seized, or where 
obtained. 

Baretti. — General Jackson's terms are accepted. At 
midnight I will lead my forces to the defence of the city. 
Meantime I cordially invite you to honor us with your com- 
pany during the banquet that is to celebrate our abandon- 
ment of the profession of piracy. 

Messenger. — Your hospitality is gratefully acknowledged 
and gladly accepted. But pardon me, Captain Baretti. for 



THE SEA-ROBBER. 53 



requesting the privilege of viewing more closely the ensign 
that I observe yonder ; if I am not greatly mistaken it is 
the pennon of the lost ship, Osprey. 

Baretti. — You are free to determine the truth of your 
impressions ; possibly it is the flag of the Osprey. (As the 
messenger withdraws to the rear of the cavern to examine 
the ensign, Captain Anthony and Myra Auber enter. The 
messenger discovers old acquaintances in Captain Anthony 
and Myra and detains them in conversation. Enter Sir 
Timothy Twillyn in deranged apparel, accompanied by 
Chaos and Bacchus. ) 

Chaos. — Hush your clatter, I say ! You shall trot around 
a snubbing-post at the end of a hawser, old grumbler, if you 
call me a pirate, — I am a corsair. Your pirate will conde- 
scend to scuttle schooners and to rob lobster traps, but your 
corsair sails the sea for blood and booty. 

Twillyn. — Thugs ! homicides ! villains ! is it your pur- 
pose to murder me ? 

Racilla. — Oh. Victor, here is Uncle Timothy ! {Throw- 
ing her arms around Twielyn's neck, while Chaos and 
Bacchus lean against the cavern wall as observers.} My 
dear old Uncle, how glad I am to see you ! Oh, don't look 
so surly ! — please do forgive me, Uncle Timothy. 

Twteeyn. — By Nicodemus ! the tribulation that your 
treachery hath cost me, Niece, demands the most severe of 
retributions. 

Racilla. — But, Uncle, we are all going back to Pensacola 
and Victor is going to live with us ; oh ! Uncle, I know you 
will like Victor because he is very, very rich. 

Twillyn. — But alack-a-day ! in the bedevil ment of mis- 
fortunes. I have lost my documents of nobility. (Discover- 



54 THE SEA-ROBBER. 

ing his property.) Heyday, heyday, heyday ! here are my 
treasures — happy sight ! {Opening the chesty Sir Timothy 

convinces himself that his documents are uninjured.) Since 
my valuables are secure, you are permitted, Niece, to intro- 
duce yon gorgeous buccaneer. 

Racilla. — Come here. Victor, and let me introduce you 
to Uncle Timothy. (Racilla confers an introduction.) 
Marquis Victor Baretti, Uncle ; Sir Timothy Twillyn. Victor. 

Baretti. — {Extending his hand.) I am happy to make 
your acquaintance Mr. Twillyn. 

Twillyn. — (Haughtily.) Allow me to insist upon the 
recognition of the fact that a title precedes my name. 
Mister is an appellation appropriate to the vulgar classes of 
rude artisans ; but the title of Sir is inseparably connected 
with the majesty of my noble extraction. 

Baretti. — Begging your pardon for the error. Sir Twillyn. 
I again assure you that I feel great pleasure in making your 
acquaintance. But we have met before, I think, though 
under less happy circumstances. 

Twillyn. — (Shaking hands with Baretti.) Pardon me 
for scrutinizing your features, Marquis Baretti, but 1 am 
constrained to observe that your military sagacity, joined 
with a certain scornful sublimity in the expression of your 
visage, convinces me that you are remotely related to the 
far famed Twillyns. 

Baretti. — (Glancing at Racilla.) It is my hope, Sir 
Twillyn, that our future relationship may lose the quality of 
remoteness. 

Twillyn. — It will afford me profound pleasure, Marquis 
Baretti, to welcome you to my mansion. Although I am 
unable to comprehend what purpose impelled you to seize 



THE SEA-ROBBER. 



55 



my documents of nobility, still I am profoundly grateful to 
you for your solicitude in their preservation. 

Baretti. — In capturing the chest we believed we were 
securing something of value — 

Twillyn. — And you were securing something of value. 
Marquis Baretti, something of inestimable value, sir; you 
were securing the parchments on which arc recorded the 
achievements of the warlike House of Twillyn from the days 
of the monarch Tudors to the time when the chronicle 
closes with the conspicuous inscription of mine own signa- 
ture. Ah me ! it is with emotions of profound pleasure 
that 1 again behold the armor once worn by Baron Gregory 
Twillyn. Marquis, I am constrained to declare that the 
preservation of mine armor in such a tempest was a miracu- 
lous exploit. Yonder man {Indicating Captain Anthony.) 
is astoundingly deficient in the knowledge essential to an 
ocean navigator. Why. Marquis, when he discovered that 
I was displaying more ability in the art of navigation than 
he could hope to equal, he secretly instigated the sailors to 
degrade me into humility; for after insolently ridiculing the 
ample proportions of my person without receiving an official 
reprimand, the sordid miscreants began to batter me around 
the ship like a mere popinjay, until the persecution culmin- 
ated in a deed of violence on my part. By Nicodemus ! 
my indignation resents the perpetration of such abominable 
atrocities. 

Racilla. — When we get back to Pensacola, Uncle, won't 
Betsey be surprised to hear you tell the story of your ad- 
ventures on this voyage? 

Twillyn. — Incidents of fabulous singularity have certainly 
happened during this voyage, but I profoundly doubt 



56 THE SEA-ROBBER. 



whether my housekeeper is capable of comprehending the 
full significance of such remarkable occurrences. (A bell 
rings.) 

Baretti. — The banquet is ready ; rejoicing, we will seek 
the feast. 

Twillyn. — {Detaining Baretti.) Alack-a-day ! I cannot 
sit in soiled vesture at the social board. It would be abso- 
lutely impossible for me to sustain the dignity of my station 
in tarnished attire. Why, Marquis, you can scarcely imagine 
in observing the present deplorable condition of my apparel, 1 
how exquisitely faultless were my personal adornments at 
the commencement of this voyage. By losing my wardrobe 
in the tempest, I am left completely destitute of ruffled 
shirts, — articles of the utmost importance to a nobleman's 
toilet. In this vesture, Marquis, it would be utterly impossi- 
ble for me to attend a banquet without the profound depths 
of my chagrin being revealed in the dejected expression of 
my countenance. By Nicodemus ! I lament the lack of 
combs and clean linen ; my peruke is freighted with clam 
shells and barnacles, and my garments exhale the detestable 
odors of a gull's nest. 

Baretti. — Come with me, Sir Twillyn, and you shall be 
clothed like a nabob. A ceremonial robe once worn by the 
Shah of Persia is in my possession ; it will exactly fit your 
figure. 

Twillyn. — Ah, Marquis, your marvellous adroitness in 
meeting this emergency reveals a peculiar characteristic that 
fully convinces me of your remote connection with the 
House of Twillyn. 

{Exeunt omnes. Curtain falls.) 



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